Work has begun on two cycling
infrastructure pilot schemes as part of Cardiff Council’s plans to put active
travel at the heart of the city’s transport policy.

A light segregation scheme,
where cyclists are separated from traffic by a series of lane defenders will be
trialled along a 300 metre stretch of Maes-y-Coed Road.The lane defenders act as a physical
deterrent, preventing vehicles from entering the cycle lane and provide a
safer, alternative route for cyclists travelling in the Caerphilly Road area.

On Cathedral Road, the current
traffic lights at the junction with Talbot Street and Sophia Close are being
upgraded, introducing low-level cycle signals and trialling a 4 second
head-start for people on bikes. The aim is to help cyclists travelling straight
ahead through the junction avoid conflict with motor vehicles turning right. Pedestrian
crossings will also be introduced allowing walkers to safely cross Talbot
Street and Sophia Close.

Cabinet Member for Strategic
Planning and Transport, Cllr Caro Wild, said:“Schemes of this nature have never been done before in Cardiff, so we’ll
be listening closely to the feedback we receive, with a view to potentially
rolling this type of infrastructure out to other areas of the city.”

“Cycling already takes a 33
mile tailback off our roads every day and we know that 57% of people in Cardiff
would like to start riding a bike or cycle more – the easier and safer we can
make cycling, the more likely people are to leave their cars at home.

“There’s clearly a lot more work
to be done to realise our vision of making Cardiff a world class cycling city, but
these pilot schemes, together with the forthcoming introduction of a city-wide
cycle hire scheme, the plans for a city centre cycle hub and a network of cycle
superhighways, show that cycling really is at the heart of our transport plans
for Cardiff.”

In addition to these pilot
schemes, the council will also be upgrading the cycling infrastructure through
North Road car park, relocating the existing cycle route to the rear of the car
park and widening it to create a fully segregated cycle track. Toucan crossings¹
will also be introduced at the junction with Corbett Road, making it easier and
safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross North Road.

The work on North Road is scheduled
to begin in early Spring following a competitive tender process, and is
expected to be completed during the summer.

Work on Maes-y-Coed Road is expected
to be completed in March with the Cathedral Road improvements finished during
April.

¹ A toucan crossing allows
pedestrians and cyclists to cross together – since “two can” cross they are
known as toucan crossings.